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What if things get worse? Where do we find reassurance?

13 Aug

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

08-05-16 flat tire

VIDEO OF THE WEEK SNEAK PEEK  (CLICK HERE)

The sound was awful, the heat unbearable and the tummies were empty. That describes our ride home from a theme park with the grandkids this past Saturday.

The sound came from the rear of the car. We had traveled a few miles and were in the middle of nowhere. The heat read 99 degrees. And the 6- and 8-year-old grandkids in the back seat were more than a tad hungry.

So, what did these two wise, grandparents do? Nothing, we rode for a while hoping the noise would go away, and at the same time going through options for the reason for such noise.

Hubby pulled over and discovered a totally flat rear tire. Aware that our somewhat new vehicle doesn’t provide a spare tire, we waited for the tow truck.

We wiped sweat from our foreheads as the heat sizzled through the windows. And to pass the time, we played a silly game. It’s called the what-if game. We imagine alternate options, ones much worse than we face in reality.

We took turns. They began and we followed. What if we had an accident instead? What if we had no gas in this heat? What if he air-conditioning didn’t work? What if Papa couldn’t drive and Nana had to take over? (They gasped at this one!)

The game, as silly as it seems, teaches them that life has unexpected glitches, bringing painful surprises that leave us in the heat of discouragement. Then like the tire, our joy goes flat. But even in the worst or truly devastating what-if’s we can imagine, we’re triumphant still. We’re secure in the power of God’s love. And we’re in the reassuring shelter of His protection.

The Apostle Paul confirms this as he might have come up with some what-if’s of his own. And so he asserts: “In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:37b-39)

No matter how dark your situation might be, have you considered the what-if’s?

Source: What if things get worse? Where do we find reassurance? | Janet Perez Eckles

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Who’s behind all your fear? 

6 Aug

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

Janet's new book.

 

07-29-16 fear“I need my Xanax,” a woman said in the waiting room as we waited for my mom’s doctor appointment. “I can’t take the bad news anymore. The horrible stuff all around is too much.”

Although I didn’t comment because she was talking to the person beside her, I reflected on what she said.

It’s true that we’re living in hard times. We’re facing unprecedented violence. And to give us emotional indigestion, we’re viewing images of horrific tragedies. We watch this from our couch as we squirm with disbelief.

And when fear is eating us for lunch, Satan is licking his lips; we’re his prey, and we’re in his agenda as he takes care of the leftovers. But why should this catch us by surprise? Jesus said: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy…” (John 10:10a).

Satan did come, and is here to intensify the pain. But only if we let him. He steals our peace; God brings it right back. He kills our joy, but only for the moment because In God we can have it again. He destroys our serenity; God ushers it back.

And no matter what the next headlines read, we know we’re on the winning side. We’re on the triumphant court and rather than being afraid or stressed, we face all this with a secure heart because Jesus said: “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10b).

What changes will you make to live the full and secure life Jesus offers?

 

Source: Who’s behind all your fear? | Janet Perez Eckles

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Could it be that these 10 steps are keeping you from the abundance of life? | 

30 Jul

Walking by Faith, not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

His Way

 

07-22-16 10 stepsShocking statistic. I just learned that we spend 10% of all our waking hours looking for something—from a parking spot, to our cell phone, for the latest post on Facebook, etc.

What would happen if that 10% of our time could be spent in looking for something worthwhile, something that will positively impact our lives, make it better, happier, and richer?

That something is wisdom. For it’s the lack of wisdom that lead us to make bad decisions which result in the mess of life, in the disappointment that brings on sadness, and in the regret that makes our heart ache.

Good news because God said, “Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding…”

And put on your celebration hat because if, in that 10% of our looking time, we find God’s wisdom, these ten rewards found in Prov. 3:13-18 are ours:

  1. For she [wisdom] is more profitable than silver.
  2. And yields better returns than gold.
  3. She is more precious than rubies.
  4. Nothing you desire can compare with her.
  5. Long life is in her right hand.
  6. In her left hand are riches and honor.
  7. Her ways are pleasant ways.
  8. And all her paths are peace.
  9. She is a tree of life to those who embrace her.
  10. Those that lay hold of her will be blessed.

I’m waving my hand in the air. I want all that! Don’t you? But in our hectic lives with traffic jams, to-do lists that keep getting longer, and pressures that squeeze us dry, how do we find that wisdom? God’s answer: “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt…” (James 1:5-6)

How will you embrace God’s wisdom to make your days brighter and better?

Source: Could it be that these 10 steps are keeping you from the abundance of life? | Janet Perez Eckles

Janet’s joyful spirit lifts my heart. If you would like to learn more about Janet and her ministry, visit her home page.

Janet Perez Eckles, Igniting Your Passion to Overcome

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How to use your sad yesterdays for a bright tomorrow.

23 Jul

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

His Way

07-15-16 Faith

Meet Faith

 

Hubby and I sat in the family room as we visited friends in their condo on the beach. Suddenly lights began to flicker. Then electricity went out for a few moments. I sat on the couch while all dashed out to the balcony to see the cause.

What they saw was a fire burning in one of the nearby electric transformers. Fire trucks and police rushed to the scene and took care of the situation bringing safety back.

But the fire was the hardest on a large dog. The fire burned her front yard and the experience scared her so much she won’t walk into the house. The owner has to carry her inside and give her Benadryl to keep her calm. Interestingly enough, this fearful dog’s name is Faith!

Experiences can do that to dogs and to us, too. We sometimes experience the fire of rejection that aches or the fire of disappointment that leaves its mark. We may experience the fire of wounds that sear or the fire of abuse that leaves its scars. Or and even the fire of cruel words that still echo in our head.

All are real and often build a thick wall, keeping us from the happiness and the freedom of joy that can be ours today.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. Here’s what God has to say to you and to me when it comes to past experiences of fires of yesterday that smolder in the crevices of our heart:

“Do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?

I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. (Isaiah 43:19)

And refreshed by that stream of His love, He will carry you through the front door to the new dwelling where He houses these promises: “I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.” (Isaiah 43:1b-2)

What past experiences is God asking you to leave behind?

Janet

Source:  How to use your sad yesterdays for a bright tomorrow. | Janet Perez Eckles

 

Have you been to Legoland? Janet shared this story in her newsletter:

With backpack filled with snacks and bottles of water, hubby and our two grandkids filed through the entrance to Legoland. And what do we encounter first? A roller coaster which sent the little ones into the excitement mode.

They pulled my hand. “C’mon, Nana, you have to come with us!”

This blind Nana does not do roller coasters. But I wasn’t quick enough with my excuse.

“Nana,” my six-year-old grandson said, “you don’t have to be afraid, and Papa is going to sit right next to you.”

And he did. I shook, and jerked from side to side as the ride took sharp turns, rose up and came down again. But, I smiled because I was beside my strong hubby.

If you happen to be on the roller coaster of life, shaken up with heartache or worry, God is beside you, strong enough for you to hold on to so you can feel secure.

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Simple quiz to see how you handle fear

16 Jul

Walking by Faith Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

His Way

LostWhat joy, the plane landed a bit earlier in Quito, Ecuador. My friend would be waiting for me and we’d be on our way to our week of ministering to those affected by the earthquake.

The airport employee who guided me out of the plane grabbed my bags and led me toward the exit of the airport. Then he asked, “What does the friend who’s picking you up look like?”

I leaned on my white cane and gave a silly grin. Although I met her during her visit to the states, being blind, I had no clue what she looked like.

“Don’t worry,” I said, “she’ll recognize me and we’ll be on our way.”

We waited. And we waited. No friend. Then logic filed in my head. What if, since I’ve been traveling so much, I ended up in the wrong country, or arrived on the wrong date.

“This is Ecuador, isn’t it?” I asked, sort of joking.

Whew! He said it was. At least it was the correct country. But with no one there to meet me, I had to decide what to do. I couldn’t use my cell phone; it had no service in a foreign country.

Here’s when we have the choice—whether we allow fear to rule us or faith empower us.

I chose the latter because of this test I gave myself. And I invite you to take it too:

  • Is God aware of our every glitch?
  • Is He faithful when we encounter unexpected circumstances?
  • Is His faithfulness active even when we fail?
  • Does His answer come in ways we never predicted?
  • Is His protection available no matter where we are?
  • Does He warn what to do about fear, worry and anxiety?
  • Can I rest, knowing His hand is upon me no matter if I’m blind, deaf or crippled?

King David might have taken this test because he declared: ”The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1)

I passed the test, then gathered my suitcases around me, plopped in a chair near the exit and relaxed while I waited. If you also answer “yes” to all of the above, you’re on the way to a life of faith. And if you recognize His promises as you answered the questions, you’ve arrived at a place where faith rules, where peace reigns, where your steps are firm. And best of all, even when circumstances don’t change, your heart is secure, your thoughts are calm and His answer is sure to come.

And my answer indeed came. My friend had received wrong information from the airline, telling her the plane was delayed for three hours. Eventually she sent someone to pick me up from the airport. And although I didn’t know this person, I still trusted—not so much in her as she was a stranger, but I trusted in god who is truly trustworthy.

How about you? Are you at a place strangely painful? What does the test reveal about your fear, about your faith?

Janet

Source: Simple quiz to see how you handle fear. | Janet Perez Eckles

 

This message from a friend took my breath away. She was recently diagnosed with last stages of leukemia. And she writes:

“My heart has been blessed. My mind is at peace, my direction for ministry is more clear. God heard and is answering. Thank you. I do have a spirit of joy and peace. Even laughter! I smile thinking I get to go to Heaven first. I’ve always loved winning a race. Ha! I’ll beat you there! In reality, I’m not giving up and I am trusting for a miraculous healing and that God will continue to teach me lessons I can share with the world. What a thrill it is to be a servant of the King!”

After reading this note from her, I reflected on my reaction should a doctor tell me I only have a few months to live. How about you? How would you react?

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The perfect hope for happiness. 

9 Jul

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

His Way

07-01-16 hope

No airplane flight has ever been boring for me. I hear stories and details from fellow passengers that make me think, surprise me at times but more often, they become fodder for my writing.

Here is the latest one: “Oh, I was really hoping this would be the one,” the woman seated beside me in the plane related as she sipped her coffee. “but didn’t happen. He was just another jerk. I married two of them already…don’t need another one.”

With disgust in her voice she detailed how for months and months she did all she could to find her soul mate, her partner for life, the husband to make her happy.

And each time she hoped God would send the right one. She hoped the matching website she signed up would render positive results. And to make it more urgent, she told me that, she hoped, really hoped her time clock would slow down a bit.

She wasn’t alone. King David might have been on the same search. However, His version of Christian Mingle was probably more effective as he had relationships galore. But sadly, he wasn’t the purest of them all. He was flawed, he failed, he lied, he cheated and he even murdered.

Yet…are you ready…God called him “a man after His own heart.”

How could that be! Possibly, one of those nights, like so many nights before, David drank yet another glass of sorrow and regret. As he dropped to his knees, his hope surged. But his hope was different than the woman on the plane. This is what he said:

“Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” (Psalm 42:3-5)

David finally got it right. He found the only hope for his happiness and meaning. What an example of a ghastly life with a glorious ending. That’s because David put his hope in God, the one who forgives, the one who provides and the one who brings our deepest desire to reality.

How about you…may I ask in whom or in what are you placing your hope these days?

Janet

Source: The perfect hope for happiness. | Janet Perez Eckles

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Three questions we must ask before reaching the final destination of life. 

2 Jul

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

His Way

06-24-16 checklistTurbulence made us shake and jostle up and down and from side to side. We were about 20 minutes before landing in Orlando when the announcement came:

“Ladies and gentlemen, turbulence is too severe for us to walk down the aisle,” the flight attendant said. “We’ll go with the honor system. Please make sure your seat belt is on, bags stowed under the seat, tables are secured and your seat is in the upright position. And please look to the person beside you and make sure they have also complied.”

Look to the person beside us? Good idea. We can hold each other accountable.

“Make sure you, yourself have complied first before checking others,” the flight attendant added.

Makes sense. Before we try to correct the person beside us, we have to do a self-check first.

The check list is important as we all encounter life’s turbulence. Whether it’s slight or severe, without exception, we all approach the final destination. And being wise, sharp and alert, and recognizing our human vulnerability in situations out of our control, we prepare.

And in the preparation, fear leaves, anxiety is gone and peace soothes our heart when we answer these three questions:

  1. Are we secure in Jesus our Savior? If so, we’re guaranteed life eternal, and we prepare the attire for the journey: “As God’s chose people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” (Colossians 3:12)
  2. Do we have any baggage of resentment stowed away in our heart? “Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Colossians 3:13)
  3. What do we hold high, above all? “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” (Colossians 3:14)

In the turbulence of our days and in the fast pace of this world, our final destination may be closer than we think…so…how would you answer these three questions?

Janet

Source: Three questions we must ask before reaching the final destination of life. | Janet Perez Eckles

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How to be set free from sin.

18 Jun

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

His Way

 

 

luggageThere I was last week, holding on to the escort’s arm, pulling my luggage behind. With quick steps, we made our way through the airport.

“This way to immigration,” he said.

Immigration? I had forgotten I was coming in on an international flight and of course immigration and customs were part of the process

“I need to call my husband and let him know,” I said. “He’s waiting for me outside the airport.”

We stepped in the immigration area, and I pulled my cell phone out. And as soon as I gave Siri a command, I felt a tap on my shoulder. “Ma’am, this is security,” a man said, “cell phone use is prohibited in this area.”

Gulp. I gave a silly smile. “So sorry…”

What was I thinking? I remembered the announcement made loud and clear earlier detailing the regulations and Homeland Security laws. But, busy with my own agenda, I dismissed them.

But what’s new? While navigating through the airport of life, we do the same thing. Pulling behind past sin, current sin and on-going sins. Sometimes we hide them; we ignore them, or even live drowning in shame because of them.

Know why we do all that? Because we dismissed this important announcement God made in Isaiah 43:25, “I, am He who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.”

Did you know that in the area of God’s grace it’s prohibited to recall past sins? If once on our knees we repent, freedom comes. And in His grace we can let go of the suitcase of sin, release the shame, and leave guilt behind.

If God remembers your sin no more, why do you?

Source: How to be set free from sin. | Janet Perez Eckles

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Five mistakes that bring on regret. 

11 Jun

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

His Way

 

 

I woke up, and while still in bed, I stretched and yawned one night during my visit to Ecuador. As I pondered about the time, I had no way to find out. My cell phone didn’t work—no connection. Unlike here in the States, there was no land line phone to use to call for time.

Most of you who are sighted, would glance toward your phone or clock and know the exact time. Not so for this blind gal.

Surely it must be morning, I thought. So, I started my morning routine. But before getting dressed, I realized it must still be the middle of the night as I heard no birds singing.

Have you done the same? We all do it, don’t’ we? We take action and begin our routine at the wrong time. Even worse, we forge on without checking God’s timing. Without consulting His will. And without seeking His guidance.

Then when we’re in the middle of the journey, things begin to fall apart. That’s when we try to hide our regret, and, with a sorrowful look, we ask God for His input, His help and rescue.

Jesus told that very story in Luke 15. He relates how a young man chose to follow the recipe for bitter regret marinated in foolishness. And often we do, too. We go through these five stages:

  1. We follow our own intuition, our wisdom and whims. “….the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living” (Luke 15:13).
  2. Later, we evaluate the situation and scratch our head, wondering how we got there. “After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need” (Luke 15:11).
  3. We scramble, looking for an answer. “So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs” (Luke 15:15).
  4. We recognize our bad timing, our mistakes and our pitiful ending. “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you’” (Luke 15:17).
  5. The glorious good news is God welcomes us back:  “The son came back home and…while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him” (Luke 15:20 ).

The father delighted in the son’s return. God does the same. No matter the foolish path, the sad mistakes, the pitiful choices, we can always, always come back. God will run to meet us, throw His arms of compassion around us and give us the kiss of forgiveness.

What regret still nags at you today?

Source: Five mistakes that bring on regret. | Janet Perez Eckles

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What to do when our world shakes.

4 Jun

Walking by Faith, Not by Sight

Janet Perez Eckles

His Way

 

06-03-16 earthquakeI was alone, seated at the dining room table in the house who hosted me during my trip to Quito, Ecuador. The chair moved a bit. I thought it was my imagination. Then the table moved from side to side. I jumped to my feet and my heart beat fast.

What flashed through my mind was another earthquake, similar to the one that happened only eight hours prior. The magnitude was nearly 7, the same magnitude as the one that destroyed the coast a month earlier.

As the table shook, and the floor underneath me moved, I called out the name of Jesus.

Perhaps I faced an army of fear, anxiety, uncertainty and those weapons of panic were about to attack.

You might have too. Maybe right now, life has your world shaking with an unexpected emotional earthquake. Perhaps you received painful news and what was once steady is now moving out of control. And without warning, the uncertainty of the next moment is about to bring you down.

But God is not surprised and has the answer. He’s saying to you, to me, the same as he declared to King Jehoshaphat who faced an overwhelming army:

  1. The battle is not ours. Thus, we need not know how to fight on our own because God said, “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.” 2 Chronicles 20:15
  2. When all is shaking and the earth is moving underneath us, our soul is steady while we stand firm, wait and trust. “You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem.” 2 Chronicles 20:17a
  3. We can face any tremor, confront any quakes, yet our heart is calm because God is with us. “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.” 2 Chronicles 20:17b

If your world is shaking right now, what is God whispering to you?

 

Source: What to do when our world shakes. | Janet Perez Eckles

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